Thankfully, we still live in a democracy, where a party leader's personal view doesn't determine policy. Blair might have personally believed he was on a 'mission of god' going into Iraq, and it probably influenced the debate, but he still had to gain Parliamentary approval.

Sure. The only question was whether it was legitimate to insist on questioning him on it, and I say that it is.

Precisely my point about him.Nice man or not,his views are archaic. They smack of the old Tory rule. His pedigree makes him the sort of leader the old school love
The do as I say ,not as I do sort. I cannot see him appealing to any forward thinking voter. But then what am I saying. Britain has been heading backwards for a decade now.His appointment would prove that imo.

to the theme from Upstairs Downstairs ... erm... The Master will be taking tea in the library GeniB - use the best silver-tray for the pot & cups to take it up to him.... remember your frilly cap!

ooops...

__________________
A person's most dangerous possession is their EGO;- invariably proving to be in inverse proportion to their importance

Back in court, the Government agreement with the DUP and the 1 billion bribe is being challenged in court next month.
The claim is that it conflicts with the good Friday agreement that states that the UK government should be even handed and not favour one party over another.

He certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea but in what way has he been hypocritical?

'I believe in the teachings of the Catholic church' was the statement. That is very much a tangible institution.

And again he's not looking to make those decisions for others. He was asked for his personal views and he gave them. He was at pains to explain that does not mean that he would be seeking to impose them on others. Everyone seems to be putting up the same straw man argument that he wants to dictate what women can and can't do regarding abortion which simply isn't true.

The 'teachings of the catholic church are BASED on the illusion of a higher being. Without that wholly unwarranted belief. There would be no church

i'm sorry but when you are in a position of power,as an MP. Your personal beliefs are of the utmost importance because they WILL colour your judgement.

Tim Farron fell foul of someone who believed he was a threat ( Dacre?) he was quickly disposed of ,despite it all being a pack of lies.

Not all Catholics blindly follow the church's doctrine. My husband is a practicing Catholic (he's had so much practice that he's pretty good at it now ), and is a vocal advocate of a woman's right to choose. He also married me, a divorcee, which meant that our marriage wasn't recognised by the Catholic church. Did it worry him? Not at all. He's in the clear now though, as my ex-husband died

He's discussed his beliefs and decisions with the local priest, and also informed him that he wouldn't be talking about this in the confessional as he can't accept the church's stance on abortion and marriage (including same sex marriage). The priest was wise enough not to object or try to talk him out of his beliefs and he's still welcomed at Sunday Mass.

I'm not Catholic and I abhor much of the Catholic church's doctrine. Scouse and I have had many lively amicable debates but we agree on the issues that are important to both of us.

The point of my post is that you don't have to be unintelligent or unthinking to be a Catholic. I also don't think that Catholics who agree with their church's stance are unintelligent or unthinking. They're just wrong

Do you mean by that that your OH is' 'Catholic Lite' (sorry couldn't resist)
My sister is a converted happy Catholic and very intelligent..My remark was a personal one.,because i can't see how you can marry the myth with present day knowledge Maybe its just me.?